title: Psychometric properties of the Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (Bsi-18) in a Spanish sample of outpatients with psychiatric disorders.
abstract: This study analyzes the psychometric and structural properties of the BSI-18 in a sample of Spanish outpatients with psychiatric disorders (N = 200), with three basic objectives: (a) to study the structural validity of the instrument; (b) to analyse reliability (internal consistency and test-retest stability) and validity (convergent and discriminant) of the instrument, and (c) to evaluate sensitivity to change in a therapeutic context. Using confirmatory factor analysis, two models were tested: the three-dimensional theoretical model proposed by its authors, and the empirical four-factor model obtained by the same authors through exploratory factor analysis. Our results showed that the best structure was a four-dimensional model, with the General Distress index and Somatization, Depression, General Anxiety and Panic scores. These four scales showed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, validity and sensitivity to therapeutic change. The BSI-18 has been shown to be a reliable and useful tool for psychiatric assessment of patients, with the added advantage provided by its simplicity and ease of application.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Andreu
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Galdón
authors.forename: Estrella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dura
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murgui
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ibáñez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires